Technology Summary

What is this product?

The system is noninvasive, collecting pertinent driver
fatigue data under all driving conditions including bright sunlight, through the
use of a low-power Doppler radar system. The system detects the onset of fatigue
and measures its effect on the driver's activity level and eyelid behavior. The
final design size of the DDDS is small and could be mounted in the overhead instrument
module.LEARN MORE . . .

What
can it do?

The Drowsy
Driver Detection System (DDDS) senses the onset of drowsiness and tracks fatigue.
The detection system uses Doppler radar and sophisticated signal processing to
measure changes as a person becomes drowsy and falls asleep. The changes that
accompany drowsiness include changes in general activity (fidgeting), eye blink
frequency and duration, and eyelid movement.

What
are the benefits?

The
APL drowsy driver system detects drowsiness and fatigue prior to the driver falling
asleep. The warnings can begin as the driver becomes fatigued and intensify as
the system detects increasing drowsiness, providing the driver with the opportunity
for countermeasures such as napping or getting a cup of coffee before they endanger
himself and/or others.There are several
alternative technologies to DDDS, each with its own limitations. For example,
Active IR PERCLOS sensing functions either in daylight or for a significant fraction
of the population. In addition, the cost of the PERCLOS system is significantly
greater than that of the APL system. Other technologies, such as those that detect
head motion, do not warn the driver of drowsiness and fatigue until the driver
has fallen asleep and possibly lost control of the vehicle. The ideal system should
begin warning the driver of drowsiness early before fatigue significantly impairs
driving ability. LEARN MORE . . .